Click on the cover for a free book preview

Click on the cover for a free book preview

In this fascinating journey to the edge of science, Vidal takes on big philosophical questions: Does our universe have a beginning and an end or is it cyclic? Are we alone in the universe? What is the role of intelligent life, if any, in cosmic evolution? Grounded in science and committed to philosophical rigor, this book presents an evolutionary worldview where the rise of intelligent life is not an accident, but may well be the key to unlocking the universe's deepest mysteries. Vidal shows how the fine-tuning controversy can be advanced with computer simulations. He also explores whether natural or artificial selection could hold on a cosmic scale. In perhaps his boldest hypothesis, he argues that signs of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations are already present in our astrophysical data. His conclusions invite us to see the meaning of life, evolution and intelligence from a novel cosmological framework that should stir debate for years to come.

I invite you to download a free book preview, explore the book's table of contents, watch my book trailer, see some media reactions,  or get more information to buy the book. You'll also find below some quotes about my book.

An outstandingly clear, comprehensive and systematic investigation of some of the deepest and most speculative questions of all time: How did the universe begin? How will it end? And what is the meaning of life in this cosmic evolution?
— Prof. Dr. Francis Heylighen
This is a highly unusual book, grounded in science and yet speculative, highly detailed and yet tackling the broadest possible questions, measured in its arguments but bold in its conception: in short, an exciting adventure reflecting the boldness and creativity of youth.
— Dr. Steven J. Dick
Cutting-edge science is starting to discover a ‘big picture’ in which humans have the potential to play a key role in the future evolution of life in the universe. If you want your mind to be expanded so that it takes in this wider perspective, Clément Vidal’s book is an absolute must read.
— John E. Stewart
Vidal’s book is an impressive work of up-to-date, scientifically informed philosophy. Summing Up: Highly recommended.
— Prof. Dr. McHenry, Leemon B.
[Clément Vidal’s] quest is our quest, to ask and answer our biggest questions with more truth, goodness, and beauty than ever before.
— John M. Smart
In spite of my lack of scientific background, I found this book absolutely amazing. This philosophical reflection about the role and the meaning of intelligent life in the universe is deeply ambitious, original and thought provoking. The last chapter on ethics is beautiful and even moving.
— Amazon customer (merlinor)
[Vidal’s] assiduous scholarship reveals the possibility that a scientific cosmology can provide a narrative which gives life meaning. A narrative so desperately needed as the old mythological ones become increasingly passé. And we are privileged to journey along with a well-ordered and visionary mind as it contemplates perhaps the most important question of our time–how do we find meaning in the cosmos revealed by modern science.
— Prof. Dr. John Messerly
Clément Vidal boldly takes us to the very edges of knowledge in this work, and in so doing, helps advance and point science towards new fields of study. I think anyone with a technical background in fields related to space or evolutionary science would find this work to be extremely rewarding. However, I also think that Vidal writes with a clarity and wit that also makes this book of interest to anyone who has ever wondered about the ultimate fate of intelligence in the cosmos.
— Cadell Last